The maintenance of the ships is divided based on time period. That may require dry docking for bottom cleaning or may just require wet basin visit. Major maintenance takes place once in about 5-6 yrs. Minor maintenance work is on 24x7. Wet basin visits are normally to upgrade systems and sensors. Dry docking is required to clean and upgrade systems below water line and bottom cleaning, rust removal, repaint etc. The duration can vary from few weeks to an year.

Yes I did, that's why I specifically added the payload figures for each config, to show that even with reduced MTOW or payload, Rafale can carry more than a Mig in the same mission from a STOBAR carrier.

2 x 90 days => Half a year no carrier at sea.
So 50% of time the carrier plane are ashore. So not too bad to have nice perf apart from carrier.

But it's sure a navy don't purchase embarqued planes only for its ashore perf.
DoD

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That's only during peacetime. During wartime, it is obvious that the carriers will be put to use. In fact, our situation is such that we will know months in advance before war happens. It's because our enemies will require months to move troops and create conditions necessary for an invasion. In China's case, we need to prepare for weather also because 6 months in a year we can't fight due to the snow.

So if China wants to attack India, they have to prepare in the spring and attack in the summer. If India has to attack Pakistan, we must do so in winter. That way China cannot interfere because the mountain passes are closed. So weather is a huge factor and carrier availability is most important from spring to autumn.

A carrier under deep maintenance or overhaul can be in for considerable time like up to 24 months but all other maintenance can be cut short and carrier deployed quickly. Like in recent Docklam crisis, Vikky was in for 40 day maintenance in Kochi and was pulled out within 24 days.

Wud like to correct you here.The Vikky ramp angle is 14.3*. Those russians with tons of vodka inside them cud not keep it down to 14*. The Smallest deck run is 125m followed by 190m & 195m. The ramp length is 50m. The stopping distance from third wire is 91m. The wires are numbered from aft to front.

Sure, but any not available capability comes at additional costs. Just as folding wings for Rafale M costs extra, or any additional upgrades from the F18 road map will make it more costly too.

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I have a new insider information for you:
Rafale is able to use Vikki lift, but the wingspan has exactly the same dimensions as the width of the lift, so it's not possible for every day operations to use the lift without modification of the aircraft. As I have previously said, and I had confirmation now, they studied and proposed a modification to make plug and play the missile launchers at the end of the wing.